CHAPTER XVI. 



REPAIR OF SHADE TREES 



TREE repair is comparable with both surgery and 

 dentistry. For the amputation of limbs the use of 

 the surgical knife is required; for mending splits in trunks 

 or frame, the treatment is akin to the application of the 

 surgeon's brace; and for the prevention of further damage, 

 due to decay, the human parallel is found in the filling of 

 a tooth. 



In minor operations no particular technical skill or 

 experience is necessary, but in the more elaborate repairs 

 the work should be done whenever possible by one who 

 has high technical skill, knowledge and experience. 



Just here let emphasis be placed on the importance of 

 selecting the right man for intricate operations. None of 

 us would entrust our families to the care of the casual 

 stranger, who might happen along and represent himself 

 as combined surgeon, dentist and mender of clocks and 

 shoes. For the curing of human ills and the repair of 

 broken bones we seek the best skill obtainable. Similar 

 care should be exercised in the matter of helping badly 

 damaged trees. 



This warning is founded on the widespread disaster 

 resulting from the work of irresponsible, unscrupulous, or 

 unreliable persons calling themselves tree surgeons. These 

 are so numerous and their methods so damaging, that every 

 tree owner or custodian should be on the alert to prevent 

 his trees from falling into the hands of such "tree 

 butchers." The employment of a man who cannot show 

 proper credentials or references, or whose skill is not 

 known is equivalent to paying out money for the destruc- 



i S 6 



